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Fargo Force

{{Short description|Junior ice hockey team}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=September 2018}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team

| bg_color = background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#000000 5px solid;

| text_color = #000000

| team = Fargo Force

| logo = Fargo_Force_Logo.svg

| logosize = 200px

| city = Fargo, North Dakota

| league = United States Hockey League

| conference = West

| founded = 2008

| arena = Scheels Arena

| colors = Black, blue, white
{{color box|#000000}} {{color box|#214278}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}

| owner = Brandt Holdings
Matt Cullen(minority)
Bell Bank(minority)

| GM = Cary Eades

| coach = Brett Skinner

| captain =

| media =

| website = {{Official URL}}

| name1 = Fargo Force

| dates1 = 2008–present

| name2 =

| dates2 =

| name3 =

| dates3 =

| championships = 2 (2018, 2024)

}}

The Fargo Force is a Tier I junior ice hockey team in the Western Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL). The Force have won two league championships in 2018 and 2024 and was awarded USHL Organization of the Year for 2008–09 and 2012–13.

History

In early 2007, Fargo was granted a USHL team, intended as an anchor tenant for the then-under-construction Urban Plains Center and owned by local businessman Ace Brandt. Dean Blais, former coach of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey program, was hired as the franchise's initial coach and general manager. After a name-the-team contest, the choices were narrowed to Fargo Force, Fargo Phantoms, and Fargo Fire. Twelve people submitted the Force name; as a result, they won a dinner with head coach Dean Blais and each received two season tickets to the Force's inaugural season.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fargoforce.com/about/ |title=Fargo Force : About |access-date=2008-06-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705113426/http://www.fargoforce.com/about/ |archive-date=2008-07-05 |url-status=dead }}

As a result of the Force's entry, the area's previous hockey team, the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League announced they were leaving the area in April 2008,[https://secure.in-forum.com/archive/?inforum_id=197056&email=&name=&CFID=41768741&CFTOKEN=95616012&jsessionid=8830ac871ca6293f3647 Archive_order | INFORUM | Fargo, North Dakota - Moorhead, Minnesota] {{Dead link|date=May 2012|bot=BlevintronBot}} and folded later that year.[http://www.nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=502 Fargo-Moorhead ceases operations]

Marks retired following the 2014–15 season and was replaced by former University of North Dakota player/assistant coach Cary Eades, who had just led the Sioux Falls Stampede to the 2014–15 Clark Cup Championship. In 2018, Fargo won the Clark Cup Finals over the Youngstown Phantoms to win their first championship in team history. Following the 2018–19 season, Eades stepped down from his coaching position, retaining the general manager title, and associate coach Pierre-Paul Lamoureux was named head coach.{{Cite web |url=https://www.inforum.com/sports/hockey/1019833-Eades-stepping-away-from-coaching-hockey-Lamoureux-named-head-coach-of-the-Force |title=Eades stepping away from coaching hockey, Lamoureux named head coach of the Force |website=inforum.com |date=May 28, 2019}} Lamoureux left after the 2020–21 season{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/fargo-force-announce-coaching-changes/n-5720738 |title=Fargo Force Announce Coaching Changes |website=OurSports Central |date=July 16, 2021}} and was replaced by Scott Langer who had spent the previous five seasons with the North American Hockey League's Aberdeen Wings.{{Cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/force-announce-new-head-and-assistant-coach/n-5726141 |title=Force Announce New Head and Assistant Coach |website=OurSports Central |date=July 28, 2021}} On October 16, 2021, owner Ace Brandt died of cancer.{{cite web |url=https://www.fargoforce.com/news_article/show/1189240 |title=FORCE MOURN LOSS OF FOUNDER & OWNER ACE BRANDT |date=October 18, 2021 |website=Fargo Force}}

{{clear}}

Season-by-season records

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! Season

! {{abbr|GP|Games Played}}

! {{abbr|W|Wins}}

! {{abbr|L|Losses}}

! {{abbr|OTL|Overtime Losses}}

! {{abbr|Pts|Points}}

! {{abbr|GF|Goals For}}

! {{abbr|GA|Goals Against}}

! {{abbr|PIM|Penalties in Minutes}}

! Finish

! Playoffs

2008–096032235691911661135align=left|3rd, Western Conf.align=left| Won quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Omaha Lancers
Won semifinals, 3–0 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 1–3 vs. Indiana Ice
2009–106037176802272141474align=left|2nd Western Conf.align=left| Won quarterfinals, 3–0 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede
Won semifinals, 3–2 vs. Omaha Lancers
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 2–3 vs. Green Bay Gamblers
2010–116033225711731511201align=left|4th, Western Conf.align=left| Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints
2011–126031236681881601007align=left|4th, Western Conf.align=left| Won conf. quarterfinals, 2–0 vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Lost conf. semifinals, 1–3 vs. Lincoln Stars
2012–13643819783201187981align=left|2nd, Western Conf.align=left| Won conf. semifinals, 3–2 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Won conf. finals, 3–2 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede
Lost Clark Cup Finals, 0–3 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints
2013–146014397351222291275align=left|8th, Western Conf.align=left| did not qualify
2014–15602628658148191933align=left|6th, Western Conf.align=left| did not qualify
2015–16603226266157150995align=left|5th, Western Conf.align=left| did not qualify
2016–17603619477193149792align=left|3rd, Western Conf.align=left| Lost conf. semifinals, 0–3 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
2017–18603716781208133985align=left|3rd, Western Conf.align=left| Won first round, 2–0 vs. Tri-City Storm
Won conf. semifinals, 3–1 vs. Omaha Lancers
Won conf. finals, 3–1 vs. Waterloo Black Hawks
Won Clark Cup Championship, 3–1 vs. Youngstown Phantoms
2018–19623423573188172910align=left|5th, Western Conf.align=left| Lost first round, 0–2 vs. Des Moines Buccaneers
2019–20482715660153143847align=left|3rd, Western Conf.align=left| Season cancelled
2020–21543121363169148830align=left|4th, Western Conf.align=left| Won conf. semifinals, 2–1 vs. Tri-City Storm
Won conf. finals, 2–0 vs. Sioux City Musketeers
Lost Clark Cup finals, 1–3 vs. Chicago Steel
2021–22622828462187207989align=left|5th, Western Conf.align=left|Lost first round, 2-0 vs. Omaha Lancers
2022–23624014488230159895align=left|1st, West Conf.align=left| Won conf. semifinals, 2-0 vs. Tri-City Storm
Won conf. finals, 3-1 vs. Lincoln Stars
Lost Clark Cup finals, 3-0 vs. Youngstown Phantoms
2023–246250102102272143579align=left|1st, West Conf.align=left|Won conf. semifinals, 3-0 vs. Tri-City Storm
Won conf. finals, 3-2 vs. Sioux Falls Stampede
Won Clark Cup Championship, 3-1 vs. Dubuque Fighting Saints

Notable players

= NHL draft picks =

Notable Fargo Force players picked in the NHL draft:{{cite web |title=USHL Players In NHL Drafts |url=https://www.ushl.com/nhldraft |website=USHL.com |access-date=September 9, 2018}}

class="wikitable"
Year draftedPlayerDrafted teamPick
2008

| Luke Witkowski || Tampa Bay Lightning || 6th round, 160th overall

2009

| Mike Lee || Arizona Coyotes || 3rd round, 91st overall

2010

| Zane McIntyre || Boston Bruins || 6th round, 165th overall

rowspan=2| 2012

| Ben Johnson || New Jersey Devils || 3rd round, 90th overall{{cite web |title=Ben Johnson: The Third Round Pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 NHL Draft |url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2012/6/23/3112695/ben-johnson-third-round-pick-new-jersey-devils-in-2012 |website=allaboutthejersey.com|date=23 June 2012 }}

Dominic ToninatoToronto Maple Leafs5th round, 126th overall{{cite web |title=NHL Draft 2012: Dominic Toninato - 5th Round 126th Overall |url=https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2012/6/25/3113170/Toronto-Maple-Leafs-nhl-draft-2012-dominic-toninato-5th-round-126th-overall |website=pensionplanpuppets.com}}
rowspan=2| 2013

| Teemu Kivihalme || Nashville Predators || 5th round, 140th overall

Jonny BrodzinskiLos Angeles Kings5th round, 148th overall{{cite web |title=Jonny Brodzinski Selected By Los Angeles Kings 5th Round and 148th Overall in 2013 NHL Draft |url=https://www.nhl.com/player/jonny-brodzinski-8477380 |website=National Hockey League}}
2016

| Riley Tufte || Dallas Stars || 1st round, 25th overall{{cite web |title=Dallas Stars Select Left Wing Riley Tufte In The First Round Of 2016 NHL Draft |url=https://www.nhl.com/stars/news/dallas-stars-select-left-wing-riley-tufte-in-the-first-round-of-the-2016-nhl-draft/c-887147 |website=National Hockey League}}

= Awards and player recognition =

{{Main list|List of USHL award winners}}

  • Mac Swanson – 2023–24 USHL Player of the Year, Forward of the Year
  • Leo Gruba – 2023–24 Defenseman of the Year
  • Hampton Slukynsky – 2023–24 Goaltender of the Year
  • Brett Skinner – 2023–24 Coach of the Year
  • Cary Eades – 2023–24 General Manager of the Year
  • Cole Knuble – 2022–23 Curt Hammer Award, Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award
  • Nick Oliver – 2022–23 Coach of the Year
  • Jack Adams – 2016–17 All-USHL Team, 2016-17 USHL Most Goals{{cite web |title=Awards - USHL Most Goals |url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/awards?name=USHL+Most+Goals |website=eliteprospects.com}}
  • Ryan Bischel – 2017 U.S. Junior Select Team{{cite web |title=2017 U.S. Junior Select Team |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/page/show/3785534-u-s-roster |website=USAHockey.com}}
  • Dean Blais – 2008–09 USHL Coach of the Year
  • Hank Crone – 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team,{{cite web |title=21 USHL Players Selected to US World Junior A Challenge Squad |url=https://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2016/11/22/13714314/usa-hockey-world-junior-a-challenge-roster-2016-bonnyville |website=sbncollegehockey.com|date=22 November 2016 }}
  • Cary Eades – 1991–92 USHL General Manager of the Year, 2012–13 USHL Coach of the Year
  • Ty Farmer – 2017–18 All-USHL Team{{cite web |title=2018 All-USHL Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/912737 |website=USHL.com}}
  • Teemu Kivihalme – 2013 U.S. Junior Select Team{{cite web |title=NHL Draft prospects top U.S. World Junior A roster |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/m_news.htm?id=687276 |website=National Hockey League}}
  • Mike Lee – 2008–09 USHL Goaltender of the Year
  • Blake Lizotte – 2016–17 All-USHL Team,{{cite web |title=2017 All-USHL Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/781057-all-ushl-teams-announced |website=USHL.com}} 2016 U.S. Junior Select Team
  • Michael Mancinelli – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Strauss Mann – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Ben Meyers – 2018–19 All-USHL Team{{cite web |title=All-USHL Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/1014807 |website=USHL.com |publisher=USHL |access-date=2019-06-05 |archive-date=2022-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417095957/https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/1014807 |url-status=dead }}
  • Zane McIntyre – 2011–12 USHL Goaltender of the Year
  • Josh Nodler – 2018 U.S. Junior Select Team{{cite web |title=2018 U.S. Junior Select Team Coaching Staff and Player Roster Unveiled |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/969278 |website=USAHockey.com|date=16 November 2018 }} 2018–19 USHL All-Rookie Team{{cite web |title=USHL All-Rookie Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/1014801 |website=USHL.com |publisher=USHL}}
  • Ryan O'Reilly – 2017–18 USHL All-Rookie Team, 2018 U.S. Junior Select Team
  • Clayton Phillips – 2016–17 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Nate Schmidt – 2009–10 USHL All-Rookie Team
  • Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup – 2017–18 All-USHL Team
  • Denis Smirnov – 2015–16 All-USHL Team{{cite web |title=2016 All-USHL Teams Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/647295-all-ushl-teams-announced |website=USHL.com}}
  • Anthony Taranto – 2008–09 All-USHL Team

= Prospects games participants =

  • Jack Adams – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game{{cite web |title=2017 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/742326-2017-ushl-nhl-top-prospects-game-rosters |website=USHL.com |access-date=2018-09-09 |archive-date=2018-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909073826/https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/742326-2017-ushl-nhl-top-prospects-game-rosters |url-status=dead }}
  • Kaden Bohlsen – 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Charlie Dovorany – 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Mikey Eyssimont – 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game{{cite web |title=Rosters Named For 2015 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/461299-rosters-named-for-2015-ushl-nhl-top-prospects-game |website=USHL.com}}
  • Cedric Fiedler – 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game{{cite web |title=2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/973990 |website=USHL.com |access-date=2018-12-07 |archive-date=2021-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109200532/https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/973990 |url-status=dead }}
  • Gabe Guertler – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game{{cite web |title=40 Players Chosen For USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/40-players-chosen-for-ushl-nhl-top-prospects-game/c-648780 |website=National Hockey League}}
  • Brendan Harms – 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Matt Kessel – 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Josh Nodler – 2019 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Ryan O'Reilly – 2017 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Clayton Phillips – 2016 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Ryan Savage – 2017 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game{{cite web |title=2018 USHL / NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters Announced |url=https://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/863862 |website=USHL.com}}
  • Nate Schmidt – 2010 USHL All-Star Game
  • Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup – 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Denis Smirnov – 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game
  • Riley Tufte – 2015 CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game{{cite web |title=All-American Prospects Game All-Time Roster |url=https://www.allamericanprospectsgame.com/page/show/1375637-all-american-prospects-game-all-time-roster |website=AllAmericanProspectsGame.com}}
  • Luke Witkowski – 2009 USHL All-Star Game

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.fargoforce.com/ Fargo Force official webpage]

{{USHL|state=expanded}}

{{Dakota Sports}}

Category:United States Hockey League teams

Category:Sports in Fargo, North Dakota

Category:Ice hockey teams in North Dakota

Category:2008 establishments in North Dakota

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2008